BRFSS-based survey of the Florida public on restaurant smoking

A total of 2,246 Floridians were randomly surveyed by telephone concerning the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act and smoking in restaurants. Only 28.8% responded correctly that restaurant smoking is prohibited unless a manager's sign specifically permits it. More than 80% of smokers felt free to light up in the absence of such signs and over 45% of nonsmokers did not recognize this as an infringement of their rights. Although about three-quarters of Floridians are nonsmokers, only about half the state's restaurant seating capacity was intended for nonsmokers by managers. Based on their own experience, smoking Floridians were much more likely (67.1%) to be satisfied with their allocation of seating than were nonsmokers (45.9%). Uniquely among states, Florida's law preempts all local ordinances, past and future. The Clean Indoor Air Act is of little practical value because it is understood by so few. It allows no restrictions on smoking in 42% of Florida's restaurants, those with fewer than 51 seats.